Speakers
Michael A. Pagliarulo
PT, MA, EdD, BA, BS
Professor Emeritus, Department of Physical Therapy, Ithaca College
Workshop Director
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General Characteristics of Higher Education
Professional Behavior: Student and Faculty
Faculty Development Plans
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Dr. Pagliarulo retired in 2012 after 32 years on the faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy at Ithaca College in upstate New York, where he achieved the rank of professor and served as Department Chair for half of those years. He was awarded the title Professor Emeritus in 2013 for his sustained record of significant contributions in teaching, scholarship, and professional activity. Prior to his Ithaca College experience, he was on the faculty in the physical therapy programs at UC San Francisco and the University of Southern California.
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Dr. Pagliarulo obtained his BA in Biology and BS in PT from SUNY Buffalo, MA in PT from University of Southern California, and EdD in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse University. His dissertation and subsequent scholarship focused on needs assessment and faculty development of new faculty in PT and PTA education programs, both of which served as the foundation of this workshop. He has served as Chair of the Faculty Development Committee at Ithaca College and was instrumental in initiating a group mentoring program for new faculty at the institution. He was a mentor in the APTA Education Leadership Institute for new/aspiring PT/PTA program directors (retitled APTA Fellowship in Higher Education Leadership). He has held several elected and appointed positions in APTA New York including Treasurer, Speaker of the Delegate Assembly, and Leadership Development Chair. He has been a delegate to the APTA House of Delegates for nearly 3 decades, including service as Chief Delegate of APTA Oregon. Dr. Pagliarulo is the recipient of the Dorothy E. Baethke-Eleanor J. Carlin Award for Teaching Excellence and the Lucy Blair Service Award awarded by the APTA, and Dr. Marilyn Moffat Distinguished Service Award awarded by APTA New York. He is also the editor/author of the text, Introduction to Physical Therapy.
Deanna Lamb
PT, BS, PhD, MA
Corporate Director of Academic Affairs, Professional Skills Institute
Workshop Associate Director
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General Characteristics of Higher Education
Case Studies in PTA Education
Accreditation
Career Planning
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In 1991, Dr. Lamb earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Bowling Green State University in consortium with the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. Dr. Lamb earned a Master’s degree in Counseling from Spring Arbor University in 2010. In 2013, she became a Credentialed Fellowship Graduate of the APTA Education Leadership Institute. In 2022 she earned a PhD in Education for Higher Education Leadership and Policy. Her research focus was Predicting PTA Program Completion by Prior College Enrollment Status of First-time College, Some College, or Postbaccalaureate. Dr. Lamb designed and implemented a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) degree completion program for PTAs to continue their career pursuits toward a DPT or other graduate-level programs. The BSHS program is fully authorized by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and equips graduates to apply to the nearby University of Findlay Bridge PTA to DPT program. Deanna has 20 years’ experience in PTA education, with 13 years as the PTA Program Director at Professional Skills Institute in Maumee, Ohio. Her current role is the Corporate Director of Academic Affairs for Education Evolve, LLC, which is the ownership entity for multi-state career training schools for PTA, nursing, and allied health programs.
Elizabeth Ruckert
PT, DPT, EdD, BS, NCS
Associate Professor, USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy
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Technology in Physical Therapy Education
Systematic Effective Instruction
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Dr. Ruckert is an associate professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC). She received a bachelor’s degree in clinical science and doctorate of physical therapy degree from Ithaca College. Although her interest in neurologic physical therapy lead her to pursue and complete a neurologic residency program at the University of Southern California and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles, California, this residency ignited a passion for entry-level DPT teaching. She went on to complete a graduate certificate in Leadership Development and Adult Learning through the George Washington University (GW) in 2013. Dr. Ruckert was the founding program director for the MedStar National Rehabilitation Network and George Washington University Neurologic Residency Program from 2013-2019. She currently teaches in the hybrid pathway of USC’s DPT program, is Director of the USC DPT Mentor Program, Chair of the Division's Educational Scholarship and Research Lab, a member of USC’s Division Institute for Excellence in Teaching, and serves as a neurologic residency faculty mentor.
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Dr. Ruckert’s scholarly work has focused on best practices in teaching and learning in physical therapy. She has published three peer-reviewed articles and three book chapters related to instructional design, critical thinking, and use of technology to promote physical therapist student learning outcomes. Dr. Ruckert has presented regionally and nationally on topics related to education, technology, and reflection at conferences. She currently serves on the APTA Academy of Education’s Professional Development Committee. She also has 5 years of experience as a prior member of the Accreditation Services Committee for the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) from 2013 through 2018.
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Dr. Ruckert’s instructional expertise has been recognized through numerous teaching awards, including a Commendation for Excellence in Teaching from the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy in 2024, the Outstanding Faculty Award by the GW Doctor of Physical Therapy Classes of 2013, 2014, and 2016, as well as the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2016 and 2019. Dr. Ruckert was also the recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Ithaca College in 2012.
Janet Bezner
PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA
Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy, Texas State University
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What's My Color? What's Your Color?
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Professor and Chair, Department of Physical Therapy, Texas State University
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Dr. Bezner will retire on December 31, 2025 from her positions as Professor and Chair in the Department of Physical Therapy and Interim Associate Dean in the College of Health Professions at Texas State University. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch, her master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University, PhD in health education from the University of Texas, and a DPT degree from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Prior to joining Texas State in August 2014, she was Vice President of Education, Governance and Administration at the American Physical Therapy Association and prior to that, senior vice president for PeakCare, Inc, a health care technology firm, where she managed the development of a wellness and prevention software and video library aimed at employers to assist in decreasing health care costs associated with illness and injury at work.
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Dr. Bezner spent 7 years teaching physical therapy at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) prior to joining APTA, and has practiced in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, home health, long-term care and corporate wellness. She served on APTA’s Board of Directors prior to joining its staff and is a recipient of the Lucy Blair Service Award and is a Catherine Worthingham fellow. She is a graduate of the 2009 Leadership Alexandria program, has completed a national training summit on physical activity, and is a national board certified health and wellness coach. She is an experienced speaker and facilitator on topics related to leadership, personal development, strategic planning, and health promotion and wellness.
Chris Sebelski
PT, DPT, PhD, BS
Professor, Department Chair of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Director of Program in Physical Therapy, and Director of Residency Education, Saint Louis University
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Developing and Maintaining a Scholarly Agenda
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Dr. Sebelski is a tenured Professor at Saint Louis University (SLU), St. Louis MO. She holds several leadership positions including: Department Chair of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Program Director of Physical Therapy, Director of Residency Education and Director of the SLU-SSM Health PT Orthopedic Residency. Dr. Sebelski was a non-tenured Associate Professor at SLU prior to moving to the tenure track in 2017. Prior to arriving at SLU in 2008, Dr. Sebelski served as the Director of Clinical Education at the University of Southern California Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
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Dr. Sebelski earned a PhD in Higher Education and Leadership from Saint Louis University in 2015. She earned a DPT from University of Southern California, and a BSES from Truman State University. Her area of scholarship is focused on leadership as a domain of competency in healthcare. She strives to discover which of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) within the leadership domain should be developed within the provider for the greatest benefit to the patient’s experience. As a component of KSAs of leadership, Dr. Sebelski also studies the impact of observational analysis on clinical reasoning, using the body as a teacher. Through the mentorship of the SLU-SSM Health PT Residents, she has a strong background in peer-review and evidence informed practice working collaboratively with SLUCare Orthopedic Surgeons for revision of post-surgical guidelines.
Dr. Sebelski is 2012-2013 APTA Fellow of the Education Leadership Institute. She has a strong history in higher education shared governance as the long-standing chairperson of the SLU Faculty Senate Compensation and Fringe Benefits Committee. She continues to mentor residents in orthopedic practice and teaches within the clinical reasoning / patient management curricula for the SLU entry-level DPT students.
Jennifer Halvaksz
PT, DPT, MPT, BS
Instructor at McLean High School in McLean, VA
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Systematic Effective Instruction
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Jennifer Halvaksz is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 28 years of clinical experience practicing in a variety of settings, including acute care, rehabilitation centers, and ambulatory outpatient care. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development and Adult Learning from The George Washington University.
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She has 18 years of experience teaching in entry-level physical therapist education, having served as faculty at The George Washington University (face-to-face) and the University of Southern California (face-to-face and hybrid pathways). Her teaching has been recognized several times, including receiving GW’s Morton Bender Teaching Excellence Award, the university’s highest teaching honor for graduate teaching. Her research interests include education andragogy, instructional design in both online and face-to-face environments, clinical reasoning, and team learning.
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In post-graduate physical therapy education, Jennifer co-created and co-directed the Johns Hopkins Hospital-George Washington University Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency for five years (2012-2017). She has presented nationally within and outside the PT profession on topics such as reflection, clinical reasoning, scholarship in teaching, and coaching/mentoring, and she remains active in alumni coaching.
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Jennifer recently entered public education as a High School Biology Teacher at McLean High School. Her experiences in patient care and PT professional education, combined with her current role, rely on a tolerance for complexity, flexibility, and humor to create community and support the students, families, and school ecosystem.
Ellen Wruble
PT, DScPT, BS, MS
Independent Contractor
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Federal Laws that Impact Higher Education
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Dr. Wruble earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Health Science and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College and later completed her Doctor of Science degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Medicine. She began her clinical career at Johns Hopkins Hospital before transitioning into academia, where she has held multiple leadership positions, including Program Director and Vice Chair of Professional Degree Programs. She also served as the founding Co-Director of the first credentialed acute care residency program in the United States.
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With more than two decades of experience directing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs with diverse curricular models and institutional resources, Dr. Wruble has established herself as a national leader in academic policy, student affairs, interprofessional education, simulation-based learning, and innovations in residency education. Her contributions have been recognized through multiple national awards, including the Phi Kappa Phi Awards for Teaching Excellence (2004) and Mentorship (2005), the Acute Care Lecture Award (2016), the Physical Therapy Learning Institute’s Educational Influencer Award (2024), and the APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation Award for Social Responsibility (2025).
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Dr. Wruble has contributed extensively to professional initiatives within the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT). Her service includes participation on APTA’s Task Force on Clinical Education, the Education Leadership Partnership Reactor Panel, ACAPT’s Criteria for Excellence Committee, ACAPT’s NEDIC Systemic Discrimination and Racism Mitigation Task Force, and support of APTA on the Executive Committee for Health Occupations Students of America.
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Her scholarship and leadership in simulation-based education led to her election to the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), where she contributed interprofessional and graduate education perspectives to the organization’s simulation standards. Most recently, she served as a contributor to the revised Facilitation Standard within the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice.
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Dr. Wruble currently serves as contributing faculty and advisory member for enTandem’s entry-level physical therapist curriculum and teaches and mentors students in the Rehab Essentials transitional DPT program.